Tao Lengshuang's temper flared up upon hearing this. She slammed the small table forcefully, "Only widowed? Fine, then I'll kill you, and that will make me widowed!"
"Do you think you can threaten me by saying this? Ridiculous. Do you think you can control me as you please just because you are Prince Mingrui?"
Seeing that he had angered Tao Lengshuang, Mo Lingxi immediately put on a amiable face, "I didn't mean it like that. What I meant was, our lives are going well, why talk about divorce? It's so hurtful to our feelings, don't you think?"
Tao Lengshuang found it utterly amusing, "Mo Lingxi, you truly are something. You've managed to say both the good and the bad."
Mo Lingxi handed her the teacup, observing her expression, "It's just that you insisted on talking about divorce."
Tao Lengshuang slammed the teacup down with a 'bang' and sneered, "So, it turns out it's my fault."
"No, no, no, it's my fault, it's my fault."
Mo Lingxi's survival instinct was extremely strong, "I said the wrong thing, I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."
His demeanor truly infuriated Tao Lengshuang. She would have preferred it if Mo Lingxi had argued with her as he usually did.
"You don't need to say anything more. If I want a divorce in the future, you are not to stop me for any reason."
In Tao Lengshuang's anger, Mo Lingxi dared not go against her.
If he had opposed her just now and angered her, and then opposed her again, she might have taken Xiao Feng and left without even acknowledging him.
"We'll talk about this later. I'll go check on Xiao Feng. I'm worried he might be disobedient by himself."
Before he finished speaking, he had already slipped away.
Tao Lengshuang was extremely annoyed, which further solidified her determination to earn more money and move out.
She sighed softly. Mo Lingxi was a good man, but he wasn't the right match for her. More importantly, she couldn't tolerate a man having multiple wives.
"Making money..."
The money from the pills wasn't even enough for her to buy a pharmacy in Dongdu, let alone the money she needed to save for raising children.
She could only wait. Once she had enough money, she would buy a pharmacy in a good location.
When the pharmacy opened and she had a stable income, she could move out with Xiao Feng and no longer rely on Mo Lingxi.
As for other matters, she would deal with them then.
Having sorted out her thoughts, Tao Lengshuang returned to her room to check on the sweet potato.
After a period of careful nurturing, the sweet potato had sprouted a little green, which delighted Tao Lengshuang.
She knew she couldn't be careless. She had to wait until the sweet potatoes were harvested and she had more seedlings before she could relax.
"Madam." At this moment, a dark guard appeared at the doorway.
Tao Lengshuang asked what it was about.
The dark guard said it was about Shilipo Village. Many refugees and people from other villages had flooded into Shilipo Village, basically looking for Tao Lengshuang.
These people had all heard about the disaster star and wanted to get rid of her to make their lives better.
"The house is ruined beyond recognition. It will likely have to be torn down and rebuilt. The problem is, with people coming in waves, rebuilding will encounter many issues."
Tao Lengshuang understood this point. She also knew why so many people were targeting her. The years were bad, and the taxes were heavy. The common people needed a scapegoat, a scapegoat that would make them feel better.
For now, it seemed she couldn't return to Shilipo Village, but she and Xiao Feng couldn't live in Dongdu forever.
Move to another village?
She shook her head, negating the idea. With all her troubles, she would be even more easily targeted in an unfamiliar village.
Move to Hehua Town?
Compared to Dongdu, Hehua Town was more suitable. However, she was also unfamiliar with Hehua Town and couldn't manage many things, especially taking care of Xiao Feng.
After much thought, she thought of opening a pharmacy. What if she opened a pharmacy in Hehua Town...
She calculated in her mind. Opening a pharmacy in Hehua Town would be much cheaper than in Dongdu. The money saved could be used to buy a suitable house in Hehua Town.
She also calculated the money needed to rebuild the house in Shilipo Village and the potential problems she might encounter.
Ultimately, she concluded that moving to Hehua Town was the most suitable option.
By living anonymously in Hehua Town and disguising herself, and hiring a servant to look after Xiao Feng, there shouldn't be too many problems.
But all of this depended on her earning enough money.
At this moment, Tao Lengshuang was highly motivated to make money. She didn't make any more pills, as she understood the principle of scarcity.
When the money from the next batch of earnings came back, she could go to Hehua Town to buy a pharmacy and a house, but she would have to avoid Mo Lingxi.
Mo Lingxi had no idea that Tao Lengshuang had already planned her departure. Due to the house arrest of the current emperor, he had become extremely busy.
He was basically out early and back late every day, often not returning at night, but he would send messages back.
His absence made it convenient for Tao Lengshuang to take Xiao Feng to Hehua Town to look at pharmacies secretly.
This time, Tao Lengshuang and Xiao Feng, disguised, went directly to a broker to avoid any mishaps.
Hearing the price quoted by the broker, Tao Lengshuang thought that indeed, the prices were much lower than in the capital, but still quite high.
"I must have a pharmacy with a backyard. Preferably a two or three-story pharmacy. Money is not an issue."
The broker liked straightforward clients like Tao Lengshuang and promised to handle the matter.
Tao Lengshuang then inquired about the private schools in Hehua Town.
The broker sighed, "In this difficult year, most private schools are not operating. Those teachers have been hired by wealthy families."
"Those who haven't been hired won't teach anyone. Who knows if something might happen."
Tao Lengshuang immediately understood that something had happened. "Young man, did something happen at a private school?"
The broker didn't hide anything and said that a while ago... when refugees were allowed into Hehua Town, some refugees went to the private schools demanding food and drink, and even forcibly stayed there, causing many problems.
"There were women who seduced students at the private schools, and refugees who committed indecent acts. So, no one in town dares to open a private school, for fear of causing trouble."
Tao Lengshuang nodded, thinking that if she moved to Hehua Town in the future, she would have to be more careful.
"Are servants who know martial arts expensive?"
The broker said they weren't expensive now. "There are too many hungry people these days. Many people want to find a master, just to get a meal."
"If you want some, sister, I can find a few for you. I guarantee their character."
Tao Lengshuang asked the broker to keep an eye out for people with good character and martial arts skills. If they had families, their families should also be without issues.
The broker promised to handle both matters.
Afterward, Tao Lengshuang learned more about the situation in Hehua Town and then left with Xiao Feng.
The mother and son did not return to Dongdu but wandered around Hehua Town.
Tao Lengshuang noticed that Hehua Town was quite desolate. There were hardly any people on the streets, and many shops were closed, with some even displaying 'For Sale' signs.
After walking for a while, someone suddenly grabbed Tao Lengshuang.
"You're the thief!"